The Resplendent Medicine Buddha In A Robe Of Blue

The image of the Buddha has a calming, almost healing impact on the citta. The murti that you see on this page depicts the Buddha in His traditional, seated iconography. Legs gathered in padmasana. Fingers of one hand in the gentle dharmachakra mudra. The deep, contemplative composure of a handsomely sculpted countenance, balanced on a stately neck. From the stoopa-like bun His hair is gathered in, to the lifelike folds of His robe pulled over the shoulders - the inimitable silhouette of the Buddha inspires the heart with comforting familiarity and devotion.

The sculpture that you see on this page is of the healing manifestation of the Buddha. His name is Bhaishajyaguru, and He is popularly known as the Medicine Buddha. His skin is the resplendent golden colour of pure brass, over which the deep aquamarine blues and reds of the inlaid robe make for a striking contrast. In fact, the colour blue is indispensable to the iconography of Lord Bhaishajyaguru. The distinguishing aspect between the Buddha and the Medicine Buddha lies in the hands of the latter - a spring of myrobalan in one, a pot of nectar resting on the palm of the other.

Traditional Tibetan medicine revolves around the gunas of the myrobalan. The concoctions prepared from it are variously designed to reverse disease, senescence, and death, a mixture of all three of which is to be found in the pot in Lord Bhaishajyaguru’s hands.